Old Orhei Archeological Complex
Old Orhei Archeological Complex
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Дмитрий К
Moscow, Russia27 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
It's about an hour's drive from Chisinau. There are many settlements and cameras along the road. There is paid parking (10 lei), the entrance ticket is also 10 lei. There are toilets that are quite clean. A small archaeological museum near the parking lot. It took us 3 hours to walk around the territory and visit the restaurant. I can recommend visiting a restaurant of Moldovan cuisine in Butuceni (from the eco resort, there are signs along the street).
Written May 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haytham Abu Firas
Qatar20,603 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
A wonderful place for those who like nature, quite area and amazing views. A city far from the capital Chișinău about an hour drive 55 km worth a visit but be prepared for a good walk. Orheiul Vechi is a monastery at the top of the hill. Don’t miss archaeological museum visit.
Few minutes drive after, you can find remnant of Old Turkish Hammam.
Few minutes drive after, you can find remnant of Old Turkish Hammam.
Written April 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soccca
Tolmin, Slovenia1,809 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We came there quite early and we went first to the ethnic village and then the church above the village. After that we were waiting to see the caves. There was no sign about opening hours, but other (Moldovan) tourists said that it should be opened in about ten minutes. But then we had been waiting more than a hour. When the monk finally came he opened the door and let us enter. He was not very friendly as he was shouting at some tourists. Anyway, visiting the cave was a very nice experience.
Written July 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xenia C
Chisinau, Moldova16 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
Old Orhei (Orheiul Vechi) is one of the most beautiful archaeological and historical complexes in Moldova, and the closest one to Chisinau.
You can opt for a taxi or private driver, but there are also minibuses going there 3-4 times a day from the central bus station located on Thigina str. You need to take the minibus going to Tebujeni and Butuceni, and the ride doesn't cost you more that $2-$3. The earliest bus leaves at 10AM, and the last one returns from Old Orhei at 4PM, it gives you plenty of time to research the area.
Aside from the beautiful cave monastery and The Birth of the Holy Virgin Church, the complex has a large area of hills and rocks (75 to 150 metres high) with many caves, natural springs, places of exceptional beauty for hiking and the Raut river, of course.
It should take you at least 6 hours to explore the whole territory.
When you're finished roaming the hills, stop by Butuceni, a village located at the foothill, check out the restaurants and little hotels where you can rest and have a delicious traditional meal.
Most of the villagers would rent out their backyard for travellers who want to have a barbecue. Last time we paid around $30 to rent out a yard with a grill for 4 hours.
This is a perfect one day visit if you want to detach from your routine and feel the liberating air of wilderness and intact nature.
You can opt for a taxi or private driver, but there are also minibuses going there 3-4 times a day from the central bus station located on Thigina str. You need to take the minibus going to Tebujeni and Butuceni, and the ride doesn't cost you more that $2-$3. The earliest bus leaves at 10AM, and the last one returns from Old Orhei at 4PM, it gives you plenty of time to research the area.
Aside from the beautiful cave monastery and The Birth of the Holy Virgin Church, the complex has a large area of hills and rocks (75 to 150 metres high) with many caves, natural springs, places of exceptional beauty for hiking and the Raut river, of course.
It should take you at least 6 hours to explore the whole territory.
When you're finished roaming the hills, stop by Butuceni, a village located at the foothill, check out the restaurants and little hotels where you can rest and have a delicious traditional meal.
Most of the villagers would rent out their backyard for travellers who want to have a barbecue. Last time we paid around $30 to rent out a yard with a grill for 4 hours.
This is a perfect one day visit if you want to detach from your routine and feel the liberating air of wilderness and intact nature.
Written March 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shootingstar0123
London, UK128 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
There are buses from the central bus terminal that is well hidden in the main market. Once you find buses, it took a few minutes to locate the right bus. I wrote the destination on a piece of paper and asked people where to find the bus.
First local experience getting on maxi bus from Chișinău to Butuceni to visit Orhei Vechi Monastery. It took approx 01:30hr to get there and 26 lei. You pay at the end to the driver. Buses don't run frequently. We got the bus at around 10:30 in Chișinău and took the return bus at 16:15 from Butuceni. Be warned. If you don't get a seat, be ready to get squashed by incoming people. Even when 1 person gets off, 4 people will come in and squash you further. There seems to be no limitation on the number of passengers.
Once we got to the destination, we had 4 to 5 hours to spend there so we walked around, as it was a lovely sunny Autumn day. Found a supermarket and drunk wine in the field, went to monasteries. Like may orthodox monasteries, they were pretty, full of colourful pictures. If the cave is open, go there.
First local experience getting on maxi bus from Chișinău to Butuceni to visit Orhei Vechi Monastery. It took approx 01:30hr to get there and 26 lei. You pay at the end to the driver. Buses don't run frequently. We got the bus at around 10:30 in Chișinău and took the return bus at 16:15 from Butuceni. Be warned. If you don't get a seat, be ready to get squashed by incoming people. Even when 1 person gets off, 4 people will come in and squash you further. There seems to be no limitation on the number of passengers.
Once we got to the destination, we had 4 to 5 hours to spend there so we walked around, as it was a lovely sunny Autumn day. Found a supermarket and drunk wine in the field, went to monasteries. Like may orthodox monasteries, they were pretty, full of colourful pictures. If the cave is open, go there.
Written January 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
Seoul, South Korea77 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
Old Orhei is roughly one hour north of Chisinau. It is set on a ridge line running in a small valley. On the ridge is the new church of the monastery. It is new so not as interesting as the cave portion. Under the white bell tower are the stairs that go down into the small church in the caves. When the weather is good, you can go out on the ledge and get a better idea of how it is situated. However, it does make the inside more chilly than normal. The inside is full of icons and many Orthodox Christians light candles, pray, etc. The old monk who sits inside does not look friendly but he is. He sell candles and souvenirs and will sometimes show you a bit more if asked in Romanian or Russian. As long as your expectations are kept low, you will enjoy it. If the weather is at all cold or windy, prepare for your walk as it is intensified while climbing to the monastery, which is only 15 minutes from the parking area. We went to nearby Chateau Vartely for lunch.
Written February 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard J
Omaha166 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
After a little bit of a tough walk, depending on where you park, you go down some stone steps into a well maintained Orthodox still active cave monastery. Nearby are the ruins of two 15th century cities. Afterwards we stopped at local small Butuceni EcoResort for an excellent inexpensive lunch of Moldovan foods in a traditional style house. Overall, a great day.
Written September 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArmenGrigoryan
New York City, NY244 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
We were there in May, the weather was good. There is some walking involved to get to the top, but it is worth it. Historic value and the view are impressive. Also, on your way down, you get to see a traditional Moldovan house interior, which is quite nice. Another charm of the place is that it is not over-organized.
Written June 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yns_10
Sydney, Australia1,450 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
We had a car and driver take up to Orhei Vechi. The museum and new church were okay - best was the underground monastery, but the members of the monastery are never far away. We found the drive through the village more interesting and the landscape is pretty but not spectacular.
Written June 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELear
Ancona, Italy3,061 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
Chisinau has a lot to offer the visitor. An amazing range of good restaurants, excellent beer, superlative wine, friendly, relaxed, helpful people.... But for the natural beauty of the country, or for a feel of its distant past, go to Old Orhei.
At the very edge of Europe, under a broad, broad sky, in silence, with a silver thread of river winding below and a plain ahead stretching all the way to the Urals... Conan Doyle wrote a short story called "The Coming of the Huns" (one of his "Tales of Long Ago"), obviously inspired by Old Orhei and vividly evoking its romance. One wonders how he came to know about it.
People with mobility problems should be aware beforehand that there's a rough track of about four or five hundred yards from the car-park to the cave monasteries, followed by some steep steps down inside the earth. For most, it should be do-able, if you take your time.
Orhei is about 45 minutes' drive from Chisinau, on a good road, through pleasant countryside. It might be possible to combine this with a visit to Soroca further north, with its famous Gypsy Hill and a castle - one of a chain - built by Stephen the Great to defend Moldavia and Christendom against the Ottomans.
At the very edge of Europe, under a broad, broad sky, in silence, with a silver thread of river winding below and a plain ahead stretching all the way to the Urals... Conan Doyle wrote a short story called "The Coming of the Huns" (one of his "Tales of Long Ago"), obviously inspired by Old Orhei and vividly evoking its romance. One wonders how he came to know about it.
People with mobility problems should be aware beforehand that there's a rough track of about four or five hundred yards from the car-park to the cave monasteries, followed by some steep steps down inside the earth. For most, it should be do-able, if you take your time.
Orhei is about 45 minutes' drive from Chisinau, on a good road, through pleasant countryside. It might be possible to combine this with a visit to Soroca further north, with its famous Gypsy Hill and a castle - one of a chain - built by Stephen the Great to defend Moldavia and Christendom against the Ottomans.
Written April 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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